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It's a mystery how such a lovely region can be kept quite so secret, yet the coastline south of Porto and the Aveiro Lagoon make for some of the most relaxing cycling we've ever experienced. It's almost perfectly flat too, making it ideal for first timers.

Your holiday starts in Porto, where shuttered townhouses tumble downhill to colourful rabelo sailing boats cruising the Douro River and passing world-famous wine cellars. From here, you'll beach and bay hop south to your luxury beachfront hotel in Furadouro, before heading via the Aveiro Lagoon, home to pink flamingo and colourful birdlife, to Aveiro for two nights in a waterside mansion. Known as 'Portugal's Venice', this is where colourful moliceiro boats cruise along canals beneath tall palm trees, while alleyways are filled with tempting restaurants. Your final cycling stretch takes you back to the ocean to high sand dunes, meandering through pine and acacia forest, to Praia de Mira.

Your hotels range from luxury townhouses in Porto and Aveiro, to a chic designer property at Praia de Mira and a boutique spa hotel in Furadouro. We've included four evening meals and left you free to select from one of the many restaurants in Porto (night two), and also in Aveiro.

Please note: Cycling helmets are a legal requirement in Portugal for anyone using an e-bike.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Porto

Arrive at your hotel where our agent will kit you out with your bike and run through the routes with you before a traditional dinner on the Douro riverfront. (Staying at Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira, Half Board in Local restaurant)

Day 2 - At Porto 29km/18.5mi

An optional, return cycle route takes you north of Porto following cycle paths, first along the river and then the ocean. You'll pass beaches, restaurants, the C16 castle of Sao Joao da Foz, the fishing village of Matosinhos and the Boa Nova Tea House of the famous Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, which belongs to Chef Rui Paula (from the Portuguese Masterchef). Alternatively, relax in Porto for the day, strolling along the narrow alleys and along the riverfront. A port wine tasting and cellar visit across the Douro River is included in the afternoon, while your evening meal has been left free so you can choose from one of the many restaurants on offer. (Staying in Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira Breakfast Only)

Day 3 - Porto to Furadouro 30km/19mi

Take your time this morning, cycling along the south bank of the Douro River, where the rabelo boats line up along the quay. Perhaps stop for a tasting in one of the famous cellars before a glorious waterfront cycle path leads you from the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary, with its birdwatching hides, to the Atlantic coast. You exchange bays for beaches for the rest of the day, with many seafront restaurants to stop at for lunch. Relax on the sands at Espinho before hopping on the train (13 mins) to Ovar. It's then flat cycling to your beachfront hotel at nearby Furadouro where you'll dine in the hotel restaurant. (Staying Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Half Board)

Day 4 - Furadouro to Aveiro (Estarreja) 34km/21.5mi

Leaving Furadouro, pedal south along the protected Aveiro Lagoon past rickety pontoons, where plover and sandpiper tiptoe amid golden wattle and parrot feather in search of lunch. Hop on the train from Estarreja (14 mins, pay locally) to the heart of Aveiro and your luxury mansion hotel. For dinner tonight you're free to choose from one of the many famous fish restaurants nearby. (Staying at the Hotel Moliceiro, Breakfast Only)

Day 5 - At Aveiro

Aveiro is known as 'Portugal's Venice'. Alleyways are lined with churrasquerias for lunch, and gondola-style boats cruise below swaying palms on the latticework canals. The noisy fish market is a daily event, and the excellent museum is set in a beautifully preserved Augustinian convent. A short bus trip (30 mins) leads to neighbouring Costa Nova; streets of wooden houses are squeezed between the beach and the lagoon, painted in candy floss pink, summer yellow and sailor-blue stripes. (Staying at the Hotel Moliceiro, Breakfast Only)

Day 6 - Aveiro to Praia de Mira 33km/21mi

The Aveiro Lagoon narrows as you cycle south today. Vista Alegre is Portugal's oldest fine porcelain producer and has a fascinating museum and factory in Ilhavo. Next, cross the lagoon to meet the ocean again in Vagueira where oxen were once used to pull fishing nets up the beach. You then turn inland, pedalling past pears, lemon orchards and strawberry fields to your beachfront hotel at Praia de Mira with its inviting rooftop pool. (Staying at Macarico Beach Hotel, Half Board in Local restaurant)

Day 7 - At Praia de Mira 24km/15mi

A leafy trail leads east into lagoons and acacia forest this morning, and sun-dappled routes cross timber, New England-style, covered bridges spanning clear-water canals. Kingfisher and blue heron are common here, and bright cistus and iris splash colour along the route leading past several perfect picnic spots. Have lunch by the sea and enjoy a final paddle before dinner back at your hotel. (Staying at Macarico Beach Hotel, Half Board in Local restaurant)

Day 8 - Leave Praia de Mira

Where you stay

During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking. You can call our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 to discuss accommodation options.

If you'd like to keep your bikes with you for any extra nights we can arrange this for you for just £25 per adult per day. Please contact us on 1-800-567-6286 for further details.

Carris Porto Ribeira, Porto (****)

Located in the old quarter of Porto, overlooking the majestic Rio Douro as it completes the final few kilometres of its long journey to join up with the Atlantic Ocean, the Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira also finds itself opposite some of the famous Porto wine cellars. To emphasise the hotel’s ideal location it is very close to Ribeira Square, the Palacio da Bolsa and the Centro de Congressos da Alfandega.

The Carris Porto Ribeira is the result of the recent restoration and conversion of five listed buildings. The property boasts a restaurant (offering buffet breakfast and evening meals) and features stylish comfortable rooms, decorated to a high standard with modern decor that includes wooden floors and a mix of dark and light colours.

The nearby city centre is itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further architectural attractions include the 13C Oporto Cathedral and the Church of Saint Francis, a Gothic monument with a Baroque interior.

All prices shown above are valid from 19/05/2017. Prices are per person per night based on 2 sharing. The Superior rooms and Junior Suites offer more space and a seating area.

Please contact us for extra night prices.

Vincci Porto Hotel , Porto (****)

NEARBY:

Recently renovated from the old Fish Market, the Vincci Porto offers contemporary accommodation in an Art Deco building, the large lobby is covered with a glass dome, filling the area with light. Rooms are spacious and offer all modern conveniences. The location is perfect beside the Douro River waterfront with views of the impressive grand architecture of central Porto.

Hotel Descobertas, Porto (****)

Located at in the centre of Ribeira do Porto, the Descobertas Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation with free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The Luís I Bridge bridge and the Palácio da Bolsa are close by, so there is plenty to see.

Furadouro Boutique Hotel and Spa, Furadouro (****)

NEARBY:

Facing the beach just a 5km ride from the inland town of Ovar, the Furadouro Hotel is a chic and classy waterfront property with cutting edge design throughout. The spa facility is a nice way to reward yourself after a day on the bike, as is a good walk along the endless beach.

Evening meals here are a real treat- taking traditional recipes and infusing a modern twist.

All prices shown above are valid from 19/05/2017. Prices are per person per night based on 2 sharing.
Superior Sea View rooms are on the 1st floor and offer a better sea view; Suite land view offers more space and a sofa, with a land view.

Please contact us for extra night prices.

Hotel Moliceiro, Aveiro (****)

NEARBY:

In the heart of Aveiro amid the canals and colourful boats (from which the hotel takes its name), the Hotel Moliceiro is a 4 star hotel in one of Aveiro's period buildings. Artwork on the walls, patterned fabrics and atmospheric lighting all add to the luxurious atmosphere. It is easy to walk out and explore the narrow streets and alleys that are filled with restaurants, and it makes an ideal base for exploring the town.

All prices shown above are valid from 19/05/2017. Prices per person per night based on 2 sharing. There are also Superior Chanel and Superior Manhattan rooms available at £34pppn
There is also a Presidential Suite available at £95pppn
The upgrade rooms are all themed as denoted by their names and all offer a view over the canal.

Please contact us for extra night prices.

Macarico Beach Hotel, Praia de Mira (****)

The Maçarico Beach Hotel mixes nautical themes with contemporary design and is located on the beachfront of Praia de Mira.

There is a rooftop swimming pool with fabulous views of the Atlantic Ocean.

All prices shown above are valid from 19/05/2017. Prices are per person per night based on 2 adults sharing. Superior Sea view rooms offer more space.

Please contact us for extra night prices.

Extending your stay

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.

Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon (****)

Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4-star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.

Travel

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus, of course, an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted straight to our website - totally unedited. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Mrs Sims12/09/2017

We thoroughly enjoyed our Porto Coastal cycling holiday and thought the organisation and planning was excellent throughout. The hotel accommodation was very good and the varied itinerary enabled us to explore both the interesting towns and delightful countryside of the region.

Mr Black30/05/2017

very enjoyable. standard of hotels excellent. scenery beautiful. We learned a lot about undiscovered parts of Portugal.

Mr Nicol12/05/2017

weather--service--hotels--people--could not ask for any better..this last ride we had gps on the bikes.but sometimes lost signal

Mrs Rudd19/04/2017

A lovely part of Portugal to visit and a great holiday.

Mrs Jones11/09/2016

Cycling was mainly along flat cycle ways and quiet roads although some of the cycle track surfaces were a little bumpy. The hotels were a very good standard, meals, whether taken within or outside the hotels, were very good, especially the fresh fish dishes. Porto was well worth seeing and an interesting city. A bus trip to Costa Nova from Aveiro is worth doing to see the pretty painted houses. The cycle along the estuary and nature reserve was very enjoyable watching out for flamingoes and oth... read moreer seabirds and we were lucky to be doing this at low to half tide when the wading birds and lots of local fisherman, digging for cockles and clams, can be seen. On the beach at Praia de Mira we were lucky enough to see the local fishermen hauling in their nets full of sardines. The final cycle from Praia de Mira along the water canals was a lovely cycle too.

Mr Mitchell10/09/2016

We enjoyed our holiday, hotels and food were good, people very friendly and helpful, not a particularly scenic route but pretty good for non-cyclist as very flat.

Mrs Clark24/08/2016

Wonderful way to see a country on a bike, real sense of achievement when you arrive at a new destination by bike. A fair amount of exercise - not too strenuous, but much better than sitting on a sunbed all week.

Mrs Malone11/08/2016

We cycled 5 out of 7 days. Joanna met us on arrival and got us on track. The trails were very easy to manage - the GPS was a superb tool. The scenery was magnificent, and we really saw the hidden Portugal. The cycle lanes were completely segregated from the roads and this made for a relaxed and peaceful experience. Each evening we arrived at our hotel to a warm welcome and our luggage in our room. The standard of all the hotels was extremely high and they were all in beautiful locations. ... read moreThe printed maps and route descriptions were also helpful, and the level of difficulty ultimate ascribed to the cycle was accurate.

Mrs Hoskins11/08/2016

An unforgettable experience travelling in rural Portugal, getting to see sights other holidays don't offer, off the beaten track, just the right amount of effort for cycling. Excellent choice of hotels, although not the best views! Very good help from rep and good support offered. Nice to know the baggage was taken care of although we arrived before it at one location and it was 5.30pm before they arrived! We could cycle the route at our own pace and felt secure in the knowledge that we were being taken care of and knew where we were going with very good instructions and maps.

Mrs Whiteley20/07/2016

Very well organised holiday - excellent helpful Portuguese reps looked after us well throughout. GPS was a very successful means of not getting lost en route. Hotels all good, although 2 out of 4 gave us rooms looking at blank walls. Some time is spent riding on roads, though we used footpaths where available, and there are dedicated cycle paths for the majority of the route. Some interesting coastal scenery. Riding through the lagoon wasn't as spectacular as we'd hoped as much of the the cycle... read more path was rocky and potholed and you had to concentrate on the path surface immediately ahead to avoid falling, rather than enjoying the scenery and wildlife. All in all though, a very enjoyable holiday.

Mr Mathias14/07/2016

Good .Poor room in the hotel Carrie Porto small room small window looking across a narrow ally straight into a derelict building.This room should not be let in this state.

Headwater response:Dear Mr Mathias,
Thank you for taking the time to complete your post-holiday questionnaire. We were pleased to see you had a good holiday, although, we were sorry to read of your disappointment with the standard of room you were allocated at Carris Porto Ribeira. Since receiving your feedback, we have asked the hotelier to ensure they do not allocate this room to future Headwater customers. Whilst we realise this does not affect your holiday, we do hope it goes some way to show we take our customers feedback seriously. We would like to thank you for your continued loyalty and look forward to welcoming you on another of our holidays in the future.
Kind regards,
Headwater Customer Service team

Mrs Garth13/07/2016

Thoroughly enjoyed my holiday on my first visit to Portugal. Excellent service from local reps. Great hotels. Ebikes fun. Delicious food, wine and port. Loved the routes.

Mrs Dillnutt22/06/2016

The cycle tracks in Portugal were good and holiday would suit people new to cycling holidays

Mrs Griffiths15/06/2016

Mrs Cronin08/06/2016

A very well organised holiday giving us the chance to visit places we would not have otherwise seen.

Mr Kilby01/06/2016

We enjoyed our cycling holiday but the weather was terrible which marred our experience. We also thought some of the cycling was a bit monotonous, going through residential areas, particularly at the beginning and would have preferred not to have had to get the train, although it proved invaluable in the end due to weather. The lagoon part was generally nice however towards the end, the path had completely disintegrated and the little bridge had been washed away. It certainly needed two people t... read moreo carry the bikes down and across. We informed the guide at the end of the holiday. I dont think this holiday would be suitable for families in summertime as the roads get very busy and there were more roads than we had expectred. We thought the route tracking on the garmin was an excellent idea and the best part of following the route. Totally reliable. The hotels were all good though not all were properly equipped to accept bikes, namely the one in Porto and the Hotel Moliciero.

Dr Goldberg09/05/2016

This was an excellent holiday. The cycling was along very flat routes down the beautiful Atlantic Coast and around the pretty lagoons. Porto and Aveiro were great places to have days off. The hotels were good or very good. We ate some delicious fish and everyone was very friendly and welcoming.

Mr Spiller08/05/2016

The pleasure of Headwater is that they do everything to make ensure your experience is exceptional - so it is!

Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday. Find out about The Headwater Price Promise to ensure you're getting the very best value for money.

For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).

If you'd like to enquire about dates and prices for 2018 departures, please call our knowledgeable sales team on 1-800-567-6286, or use our enquiry form.

The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.

Holiday details

Minimum group sizesNo minimum group size, however transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.

Electric bikesIt is possible to hire electric bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £65 per person. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment. Please call us for further details.

Other detailsAirport/station and luggage transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.

Tailor-made travel

Tour onlyTransfers included from Porto airport at 14:10, and back to Aveiro station at 09:00

How to book

For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-567-6286 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).

Due to the tailor-made nature of our holidays, we need a little more information in order for us to check availability for Porto Coastal Cycling. Simply complete the form below and a member of our sales team will contact you (when it's most convenient for you) to provide availability information, travel options and an accurate price. Of course there's no obligation, but if you do wish to proceed with a booking they will be on-hand to assist you throughout the process.

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